A look inside (and out) of the workings of a 40-something individual, and his slightly-twisted view of the world...read as ye will, and hopefully it make ye think...

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Monday, October 13, 2014

Motivation, Madness, the Number 20 and "Drifters"

Greetings once more, blogworld...this is the first time in a while that I have time to write something other than what I am working on, and that is partly due to the inability to get in gear at a time when I must absolutely do it.Where have I been? Back on the road again for GeoTraffic.com -- after the layoff, I was called back in. Restructuring has gone on, and I am back in action for them. Needless to say, glad to have it, and I think we might just make a significant step in the near future. Gotta be optimistic.Busy doing my other jobs...Radio PA part of this week, which means getting out of bed at about 1:30 in the morning. Not much different than Geo, because the morning shift for me means getting up at 3:30. And the travel, and all the other stuff.Writing...okay, recently I hammered out after several false starts a manuscript called, "Night Dawn."https://www.behance.net/gallery/19966397/Night-Dawn-Chapter-5-ExcerptIt is potentially a young adult novel about one person's struggle through a critical period of teenage life, rife with numerous issues...most of which I experienced myself. Long way to go before that's ready. I had to get it out of me.20.I am not completely sure what counts as full and finished...but I may have 20 manuscripts or books written. 20.I can't remember if that number includes the horrific sci-fi novel I wrote in the 90's. But...since 2007, that's what I have been doing.20.So...what of "Parasite Girls?"Forgive me, but I am going to say something that needs to be said. If I had a nickel for every single person who told me they were going to buy or download my book...I'd have a very big bag of nickels.To those who have, THANK YOU. I am appreciative and respectful that you laid your money down for me. I hope the book is worth it to you, and that you at least enjoyed it. I hope you also let others know it was good.The past year has been a year of learning what NOT to do. I have learned quite a bit about promotion on the fly, and I am going to have to use a very different set of tactics when I get the next one out there.And yes, the next one, "Drifters: Tales of the Southern Cross" has potential for more than one book, but that's too far down the road. https://www.behance.net/gallery/14840009/Drifters-Chapter-9-The-Lonely-OceanThere is a rough cut of it. I will be editing this fall, Mitch Bentley will be working up his magic for a cover, and I aim to publish again by Amazon.com -- I am not impressed with Smashwords and its lack of action, so I may not go with them for the ebook thing.This is more of what I write, the young adult world, a bit of fantasy, fiction, non-fiction, travel, and yes, madness. I'm good at the latter.I am also endeavoring to get another work, "A Moment in the Sun" a read from publishers or agents. This one is young adult/adult fiction...crosses over. Friends have told me this one has something more to it. I have to go all out for this...this is what I enjoy doing and what I want to do. The aim has been and still is, to get some of my work out there, get that built up, and then hope by the right time, someone will notice that, "Hey, this guy has something good."I think I do, anyway.One thing I've noticed--you still need a big name behind you, you still need a real deal publisher or you will not get much notice. I don't care what anyone says...we all can't get a "Colbert Bump," as a colleague suggested I go for, or have some self-serving twit on TV or wherever touching themselves over you. Doesn't work.A band can make their own records and tour...but you still have to have support behind the scenes.I am if anything, a stubborn SOB. I don't quit, even when my better judgment says I should.So yeah...it's a battle. But one that I approach with the idea that at the end of the day, I'm still alive. So I haven't lost.The one thing I wish I could get is about a month or two where I didn't have to chase money and could seriously map out what I need to do, beyond the writing. So far, I think a lot about it; not much more. It will get done when the time is right. Anyway, I need to hit the pool, and get ready for round two of my workday.Round 3 is at 3:30 am, or as my colleague Tim Lambert says, "Oh-Dark-30."Check out what I got on Behance...ask me questions, I'll have answers.Peace, Out.

2 comments:

Have you heard of the Insecure Writers' Support Group? A few of my blogging friends belong to it and they very supportive and they promote each other's books, and help with publishing, promotion & writing tips and so forth. Might be worth checking out. Alex Cavanaugh started it and while I'm not a member, I am aware of their work and they are really nice people.

Are these early morning radio gigs done from home or do you have to drive somewhere?//

I have heard of them, but never looked into it. Perhaps I shall. In answer to your question, I drive. Geo is near Philly (85 miles away!), and the others are just up the road in Harrisburg. I do my dj gig from home, but the acoustics of my house are not broadcast quality, just does not work.

30+ years of professional broadcast radio experience. Morning Desk Anchor for WITF/Radio Pennsylvania Network. Author of "A Moment in the Sun," on Sunbury Press. First novel, "Parasite Girls" is available on Amazon.com and Smashwords. Reviewer/Critic for BroadwayWorld.com -- Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter with the Dharma Fools. Actor of independent stage and film productions.